Remote control unit, electronic device and method for controlling electronic device

ABSTRACT

A remote control unit, an electronic device and a method for controlling an electronic device using the same are provided. The remote control unit includes: a key input part including a menu key for allowing an electronic device to enter a setup mode, a numeric key rotatably provided to display different numerals depending on degree of rotation, and a confirm key for transmitting a control signal corresponding to the numeral of the numeric key; a memory for storing a control code for controlling the electronic device; a microcomputer for reading out and transmitting the control code stored in the memory depending on a signal inputted from the key input part; and an infrared transmitter for transmitting the control code in a form of an infrared signal depending on a control of the microcomputer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a remote control unit, an electronicdevice and a method for controlling an electronic device, and moreparticularly, to a remote control unit, an electronic device and amethod for controlling an electronic device, in which the electronicdevice is controlled by a combination of numeric keys.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, an input key provided at an outside of an electronic deviceor a remote control unit provided together with the electronic device isused to control the electronic device, such as a display device and anaudio device.

In recent years, as a function of the electronic device is diversifiedand complicated, many input keys are provided at the remote control unitso as to control the electronic device. Accordingly, the design of theremote control unit is difficult and coarse.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary view of a remote control unit according to therelated art.

Referring to FIG. 1, a remote control unit 1 includes a variety of inputkeys, including a power key 2, a device selection key 3, a channel key4, a volume key 6, a numeric key 5 and so on.

Accordingly, the design of the remote control unit 1 is complicated andpersons who are unskilled in the control of the electronic device arereluctant to use the remote control unit 3.

Meanwhile, it is impossible to provide all input keys capable ofcontrolling the electronic device on the remote control unit 1.

For example, in the case of the display device, a setup mode is providedto control channel information, video information, audio information andso on according to the user's taste.

The user can set the display device to the setup mode and control thesetup of the electronic device through the input key of the remotecontrol unit 1.

However, as various control options of the display device are provided,a plurality of input keys are formed on the remote control unit 10 andit is difficult for the user to know which input key must be inputtedfor a desired control.

Also, there occurs a problem in that the remote control unit becomeslarge in size so as to form a plurality of input keys thereon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a remote control unitthat substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations anddisadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a remote control unitfor controlling an electronic device, which is capable of simplifying aninput key of the remote control unit. The remote control unit has anumeric key and transmits a specific control unit provided by acombination of numerals.

Also, the electronic device displays a key, which must be inputted forcontrol of the electronic device, in a numeral form using an on-screendisplay (OSD). If a key corresponding to the numeral is inputted fromthe remote control unit, a corresponding control operation is executed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method forcontrolling an electronic device using the OSD and the remote controlunit.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will beset forth in part in the description which follows and in part willbecome apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following or may be learned from practice of theinvention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may berealized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in thewritten description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein,there is provided a remote control unit including: a key input partincluding a menu key for allowing an electronic device to enter a setupmode, a numeric key rotatably provided to display different numeralsdepending on degree of rotation, and a confirm key for transmitting acontrol signal corresponding to the numeral of the numeric key; a memoryfor storing a control code for controlling the electronic device; amicrocomputer for reading out and transmitting the control code storedin the memory depending on a signal inputted from the key input part;and an infrared transmitter for transmitting the control code in a formof an infrared signal depending on a control of the microcomputer.

According to the present invention, a remote control unit includes: akey input part including a menu key for allowing an electronic device toenter a setup mode, a numeric key for providing different numeralsdepending on an input number of the numeric key, a display part fordisplaying a numeral depending on the input number of the numeric key,and a confirm key for transmitting a control signal corresponding to thenumeral displayed on the display part; a memory for storing a controlcode for controlling the electronic device; a microcomputer for readingout and transmitting the control code stored in the memory depending ona signal inputted from the key input part; and an infrared transmitterfor transmitting the control code in a form of an infrared signaldepending on a control of the microcomputer.

According to the present invention, a remote control unit includes a keyinput part having an input key for controlling an electronic device, amemory for storing a control code for controlling the electronic device,a microcomputer for reading out and transmitting the control code storedin the memory depending on a signal inputted from the key input part,and an infrared transmitter for transmitting the control code in a formof an infrared signal depending on a control of the microcomputer,wherein the key input part includes a numeric key rotatably provided todisplay a numeral depending on degree of rotation.

According to the present invention, a remote control unit includes a keyinput part having an input key for controlling an electronic device, amemory for storing a control code for controlling the electronic device,a microcomputer for reading out and transmitting the control code storedin the memory depending on a signal inputted from the key input part,and an infrared transmitter for transmitting the control code in a formof an infrared signal depending on a control of the microcomputer,wherein the key input part includes: a numeric key providing differentnumerals depending on an input number of the numeric key; and a displaypart for displaying the numerals depending on the input number of thenumeric key.

According to the present invention, an electronic device includes: a keyinput part formed at an outer surface of the electronic device, fortransmitting a control signal to a microcomputer of the electronicdevice depending on a key input of a user, wherein the key input partincludes a numeric key rotatably provided to display different numeralsdepending on degree of rotation.

According to the present invention, an electronic device includes: a keyinput part formed at an outer surface of the electronic device, fortransmitting a control signal to a microcomputer of the electronicdevice depending on a key input of a user, wherein the key input partincludes: a numeric key providing different numerals depending on aninput number of the numeric key; and a display part for displaying thenumerals depending on the input number of the numeric key.

According to the present invention, a method for controlling anelectronic device includes the steps of: inputting a menu key formed onan electronic device or a remote control unit; allowing the electronicdevice to enter a setup mode depending on the input of the menu key;inputting a predetermined numeral to a numeric key; and inputting aconfirm key of the electronic device or the remote control unit, andtransmitting a control signal corresponding to a numeral inputted to thenumeric key, thereby achieving a setup of the electronic device.

According to the present invention, a method for controlling anelectronic device includes the steps of: displaying a predeterminednumeral by rotating a numeric key, the numeric key being rotatablyprovided in a key input part of an electronic device or a remote controlunit to display a numeral depending on degree of rotation; andtransmitting a control signal representing a numeral depending on aninput of a confirm key, thereby achieving a control operation of theelectronic device.

According to the present invention, a method for controlling anelectronic device includes the steps of: displaying a predeterminednumeral by inputting a numeric key by predetermined times depending onan input number of the numeric key, the numeric key being provided in akey input part of an electronic device or a remote control unit; andtransmitting a control signal representing a numeral depending on aninput of a confirm key, thereby achieving a control operation of theelectronic device.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view of a remote control unit according to the related art;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an outer appearance a remote control unitaccording to the related art;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a structure of a remote control unitaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view of an on-screen display (OSD) for control of anelectronic device;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an outer appearance of a remote controlunit according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a structure of the remote control unitaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views illustrating embodiments similar to theembodiment of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are views illustrating other embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are views illustrating further other embodiments of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling anelectronic device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

A remote control unit, an electronic device and a method for controllingthe electronic device according to the present invention will now bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an outer appearance of a remote controlunit according to the related art, and FIG. 3 is a view illustrating astructure of the remote control unit shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a remote control unit 30 according to thepresent invention includes a key input part 15, a microcomputer 16, amemory 17, and an infrared transmitter 18.

The key input part 15 is provided on the remote control unit 30 andincludes a variety of control keys for controlling an electronic device.The key input part 15 is coupled to the microcomputer 16 through a keyscan port and enables the microcomputer 16 to recognize a user's keyinput.

In detail, the key input part 15 includes: a power key 13 for turningon/off power of the electronic device; a menu key 10 for setting a setupmode of the electronic device; a numeric key 11 for allowing a controlsignal to be inputted in the setup mode of the electronic device andcontrolling a volume and a channel selection; a confirm key 12 fortransmitting a control command selected by the numeric key 11; and avolume/channel key 14 for controlling a volume and a channel selection.

The memory 17 stores a program for operation of the remote control unit30 and a control code corresponding to the inputted key.

The microcomputer 16 controls the operation of the remote control unit30 and reads out the control code corresponding to the inputted key fromthe memory 17, allowing an infrared control signal to be transmitted tothe electronic device through the infrared transmitter 18.

In more detail the menu key 10 is used as an input key allowing theelectronic key to enter the setup mode, and the confirm key 12 allowsthe transmission of the control code corresponding to the numeric key 11inputted by the user.

Although the infrared control signal is described above, the controlsignal can also be an RF signal or electrical signal.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view of an on-screen display (OSD) displayed on ascreen of the electronic device.

If the menu key 10 is inputted, the setup mode for control of theelectronic device is displayed on a screen of the electronic device, asshown in FIG. 4.

As one embodiment, a menu that can control video information isdisplayed. If the menu key 10 is again inputted, the menu displayed onthe screen may be changed into audio information, channel information oradditional information.

That is, a desired menu can be displayed by combination of the menu key10 and other keys or by repetitive inputs of the menu key 10. Numeralsfor specific commands are displayed on the menu.

For example, “23” must be inputted for the execution of soft image, and“29” must be inputted for the execution of bright image.

Here, the numerals are inputted through the numeric key 11 of the remotecontrol unit 30.

As shown, the numerals may be displayed on the menu. A desired controlcan be executed by inputting the numerals through the numeric key 11formed on the remote control unit 30.

If the user inputs “123” through the menu key 10, a soft image isdirectly displayed. Also, if the user inputs “1” and then “23”, the sameoperation is performed.

Further, a specific menu can be selected by moving a cursor displayed onthe OSD menu through the volume/channel key 14 of the remote controlunit 30.

The numeric key 11 of the remote control unit 30 may includeunit-position numeric key 11 c and 10's-position numeric key 11 b,preferably 100's-position numeric key 11 a. That is, at least onenumeric key 11 may be provided at the remote control unit 30.

The numeric key 11 is a rotatable input key on which digits 0-9 arewritten.

The numeric key 11 has a rotational shaft disposed in a width directionof the remote control unit 30. If the numeric key 11 is pushed or pulledin a length direction (up and down), numerals larger or smaller than thedisplayed numeral appear in sequence.

Accordingly, the numeral displayed on the menu can be exhibited on thenumeral key 11 through the manipulation of the numeral key 11.

When the user knows the numerals that must be inputted for the control,the numerals need not be inputted on the OSD menu.

Meanwhile, after the specific numeral is exhibited on the numeric key11, the confirm key 12 is inputted.

The confirm key 12 allows the control code, which corresponds to thenumeral exhibited on the numeric key 11, to be read out from the memory17 and transmitted to the electronic device through the infraredtransmitter 18.

Accordingly, the electronic device receives the control signal from theremote control unit 30 and operates in a mode desired by the user.

Meanwhile, the volume/channel key 14 may be set additionally for userconvenience. The volume, the channel and so on can also be controlledusing only the numeric key 11.

For example, the numerals exhibited on the numeric key 11 may be used asthe channel number or volume level.

If the channel number is inputted in the numeric key 11 and the confirmkey 12 is pressed, a control signal for moving to a correspondingchannel is transmitted.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an outer appearance of a remote controlunit according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.6 is a view illustrating a construction of the remote control unitaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The remote control unit of FIGS. 5 and 6 is basically similar to that ofFIGS. 2 and 3.

A difference is that a structure of the numeric key 21 is different anda display device 22 is additionally provided.

At least one numeric key 21 is provided. That is, two numeric keys maybe provided, or three numeric keys may be provided as shown in FIG. 5.

A meaning of the numeral is different depending on the pressing numberof the numeric key 21.

For example, if the unit-position numeric key 21 c is pressed one time,it means a numeral “1”, and if the unit-position numeric key 21 c ispressed two times, it means a numeral “2”.

If the unit-position numeric key 21 c is pressed nine times, it means anumeral “9”, and if the unit-position numeric key 21 c is pressed tentimes, it means a numeral “0”.

An LCD panel may be used as the display device 22 of the remote controlunit 40. The display device 22 displays the numeral that is meant by thepressing number of the numeric key 21.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, “014” is displayed on the display device22. It means that 100's-position numeric key 21 a is not pressed orpressed ten times, 10's-position numeric key 21 b is pressed one time,and unit-position numeric key 21 c is pressed four times.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the confirm key 12 of the remotecontrol unit 40 is inputted after a specific numeral is displayed on thenumeric key 21, the confirm key 12 reads out a corresponding controlcode from the memory 17 and transmits it to the electronic devicethrough the infrared transmitter 18.

Accordingly, the electronic device receives the control signal from theremote control unit 40 and operates a desired operation.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views for explaining the embodiment similar to theembodiment of FIG. 5.

The embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8 have the same basic construction as theembodiment of FIG. 5.

However, in FIGS. 7 and 8, the numeric keys 71 and 81 are provided witha touch screen. Thus, the numeric keys 71 and 81 also act as the displaydevice.

In the case of the numeric key 71 shown in FIG. 7, regions for100's-positon numeric key 71 c, 10's-position numeric key 71 b andunit-position numeric key 71 a are divided on one touch screen.

In the case of the numeric key 81 shown in FIG. 8, three touch screensare provided such that 100's-position numeric key 81 c, 10's-positionnumeric key 81 b and unit-position numeric key 81 a are displayedthereon.

The touch screens for the numeric keys 71 and 81 are connected to themicrocomputer of the remote control units 70 and 80 such that differentnumerals are displayed depending on the pressing number of the key.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are views of a key input part according to otherembodiments of the present invention.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, there are shown key input part 50 and 60 formed on afront or upper side of the electronic device.

As described in FIGS. 2 and 5, the key input parts 50 and 60 includenumeric keys 52 and 62, display parts 64, confirm keys 53 and 63, andmenus 51 and 61, respectively.

The key input parts 50 and 60 are connected to the microcomputer of theelectronic device such that the electronic device is controlleddepending on the key input.

As described in FIG. 2, the numeric key 52 is a rotatable input key onwhich digits 0-9 are written. Also, as described in FIG. 5, the numerickey is provided to display different numerals depending on the pressingnumber of the key.

The confirm keys 53 and 63 and the menu keys 51 and 61 perform the sameoperation described in FIGS. 2 and 5.

That is, it is apparent that the present invention of FIGS. 9 and 10 isnot limited to the remote control unit and can be applied to the keyinput parts 50 and 60.

Also, the embodiments of FIGS. 11 and 12 are similar to those of FIGS. 7and 8.

That is, the numeric keys 65 and 66 are provided with the touch screenson the key input part of the electronic device and thus the numeric keysalso act as the display part.

In the case of the numeric key 65 shown in FIG. 11, regions for100's-position numeric key 71 c, 10's-position numeric key 71 b andunit-position numeric key 71 a are divided on one touch screen.

In the case of the numeric key shown in FIG. 12, three touch screens for100's-position numeric key 66 c, 10's-position numeric key 66 b andunit-position numeric key 66 a are provided on the three touch screens.

The touch screens for the numeric keys 65 and 66 are connected to themicrocomputer such that the different numerals are displayed dependingon the pressing number of the key.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling anelectronic device according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, the user inputs the menu key (Step 100). Due tothe input of the menu key, the electronic device enters the setup mode.

Then, the OSD menu for control of the electronic device is displayed(Step 110).

A setup item and a numeral for the setup are displayed on the OSD menu.The setup item includes video information, audio information, channelinformation and additional information.

Using the numeric key of the remote control unit, the user inputs thenumeral corresponding to the desired setup item (Step 120) and theninputs the confirm key (Step 130).

Here, the numeric key may be a rotatable input key on which digits 0-9are written and may be an input key that displays different numeralsdepending on the pressing number of the key.

As the confirm key is inputted, the remote control unit reads out thecontrol code corresponding to the numeral and transmits it in a formatof the infrared signal. The electronic device receives the infraredsignal and operates in a mode desired by the user.

According to the present invention, the OSD menu for control of theelectronic device is exhibited with the numeral on the OSD and thenumeral is transmitted by manipulation of the numeric key. Therefore,the electronic device can be simply controlled.

Specifically, since the remote control unit according to the presentinvention can greatly reduce the number of the input keys, it is easy tomanufacture and manipulate the remote control unit.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus,it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A remote control unit comprising: a key input part including a menukey for allowing an electronic device to enter a setup mode, a numerickey rotatably provided to display different numerals including first andsecond digits depending on a degree of rotation, and a confirm key fortransmitting a control signal to the electronic device corresponding tothe numeral of the numeric key and for transmitting a signal to theelectronic device to enter a setup mode, the numeric key including atleast one shaft extending along a width direction and having differentnumbers displayed on the remote control unit as the first digit based onrotation of the shaft and having different numbers displayed on theremote control unit as the second digit based on rotation of the shaft;a memory for storing a control code for controlling the electronicdevice; a microcomputer for reading out and transmitting the controlcode stored in the memory depending on a signal inputted from the keyinput part; and an infrared transmitter for transmitting the controlcode in a form of an infrared signal depending on a control of themicrocomputer.
 2. The remote control unit according to claim 1, whereinthe first digit represents a unit position.
 3. The remote control unitaccording to claim 1, wherein the first digit and the second digitrepresent a 10's position and a unit position.
 4. The remote controlunit according to claim 3, wherein numerals further include a thirddigit representing a 100's position.
 5. The remote control unitaccording to claim 1, wherein the numeric key displays digits 0-10. 6.The remote control unit according to claim 1, wherein the numeric keyrotates in a length direction.
 7. A remote control unit comprising a keyinput part having an input key for controlling an electronic device, amemory for storing a control code for controlling the electronic device,a microcomputer for reading out and transmitting the control code storedin the memory depending on a signal inputted from the key input part,and an infrared transmitter for transmitting the control code in a formof an infrared signal depending on a control of the microcomputer,wherein the key input part includes a first numeric key rotatablyprovided to display a first numeral depending on a degree of rotation, asecond numeric key rotatably provided to display a second numeraldepending on a degree of rotation and a third numeric key rotatablyprovided to display a third numeral depending on a degree of rotation,and the key input part further including a single key to send a signalto the electronic device to enter a setup mode and to transmit thecontrol code to the electronic device, the numeric key including atleast one shaft extending along a width direction.
 8. A remote controlunit comprising a key input part having an input key for controlling anelectronic device, a memory for storing a control code for controllingthe electronic device, a microcomputer for reading out and transmittingthe control code stored in the memory depending on a signal inputtedfrom the key input part, and an infrared transmitter for transmittingthe control code in a form of an infrared signal depending on a controlof the microcomputer, wherein the key input part includes: a numeric keyproviding different multi-digit numerals depending on an input of thenumeric key; and a display part for displaying the multi-digit numeralsdepending on the input of the numeric key, wherein the numeric keyincludes at least one touch screen to control the displaying of themulti-digit numerals on the display part, the numeric key displaying thenumeral based on a number of times that the numeric key is pressed. 9.The remote control unit according to claim 8, wherein the at least onetouch screen is divided into two or more regions with each region todisplay one numeral.
 10. An electronic device comprising: a key inputpart formed at an outer surface of the electronic device, fortransmitting a control signal to a microcomputer of the electronicdevice depending on a key input of a user, wherein the key input partincludes three numeric keys each rotatably provided to separatelydisplay different numerals depending on a corresponding degree ofrotation, the numeric key including at least one shaft extending along awidth direction.
 11. A method for controlling an electronic device,comprising: displaying a predetermined multi-digit numeral by rotating aplurality of numeric keys, each numeric key being rotatably providedabout a shaft in a key input part of an electronic device or a remotecontrol unit to separately display a numeral depending on acorresponding degree of rotation; and transmitting a control signalrepresenting a multi-digit numeral having a plurality of digitsdepending on an input of a confirm key, thereby achieving a controloperation of the electronic device, the numeric key including at leastone shaft extending along a width direction.
 12. The remote control unitaccording to claim 7, wherein a user inputs the first, second and thirdnumeric keys without displaying corresponding numerals on the electronicdevice.
 13. The remote control unit according to claim 7, wherein thekey input part is used to set a volume level of the electronic device.14. The remote control unit according to claim 7, wherein the key inputpart is used to set a channel number of the electronic device.